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17/04/2014

In Paris today, Najat Vallaud-Belkacem, Minister for Women’s Rights, handed to PES Common Candidate Martin Schulz a ‘Déclaration Parité’. This ‘equality declaration’ was the main topic of discussion as they met at the Hôtel De Broglie ahead of Schulz’s evening rendez-vous at the Cirque d’Hiver for the Parti Socialiste’s European election campaign launch.

Schulz underlined to Vallaud-Belkacem how important women’s rights are to him, and his commitment to ensure greater female representation in a future Socialist-led European Commission. Recalling his Rome Congress speech, Schulz said “It is totally unacceptable to me that in our modern times my daughter can still suffer discrimination. The idea that she could do the same job as my son but be paid a lower salary is an insult to all Europeans, men and women.”

Vallaud-Belkacem acknowledged the important role of female politicians in the PES campaign. She praised the strong women in all PES member parties, and noted the gender-balanced candidate lists of the PS in France. "Europe is not just an economic construction. It's also a union of values. What we are asking for is that the European Union is ambitious in terms of equality. Equality must become a norm in the European institutions. Women's rights must be at the heart of the European agenda. The European institutions must carry a strong unequivocal message in this respect."

Schulz & Vallaud-Belkacem also discussed the important work of PES Women, including the joint efforts in March of this year at the 58th UN Commission on the Status of Women. At this meeting, PES Women strongly supported the adoption of a post-2015 Roadmap for Women’s Rights.